PIED WAGTAIL. 161 



grass-plots, it darts right and left at the rising insects, 

 or capturing on the wing some dainty morsel, its rapid 

 flight is arrested by a graceful curve, as it alights 

 again, with a short quick run and vibratory action of 

 the tail. In the farm yard, we find it by the edge of 

 the horse-pond, or amongst the cattle in the open sheds, 

 daintily picking its way amongst the fodder, its long 

 tail and delicate breast-feathers unsoiled, however dirty 

 the locality it frequents. From thence, with a sharp 

 cheeping note and undulating flight, it makes its way 

 to the ridge of the barn, or runs along the parapet of 

 the house, constantly in motion, yet always ready for 

 the passing insect. Further afield we see it in the 

 meadows and pastures, closely following the feeding 

 cattle and fearlessly running about amongst their feet 

 to seize upon the flies which these animals attract. 

 If waiting for the train at any country station, the time 

 seems shorter as we watch this wagtail, busy as ever 

 amongst the rails and sleepers, or, disturbed from 

 thence, settling amongst the martins on the telegraph 

 wires, or chasing one of them in playful flight, with 

 almost inconceivable swiftness. By the river side, or 

 on the open broads, it is still with us, whether shooting, 

 fishing, or sailing be the object of our trip, and even in 

 the sharpest weather is found clinging to the reed 

 stems, or carefully searching for some means of sub- 

 sistence amongst the sedgy margins of the frozen 

 stream. Once more, let us change the scene, and pay 

 a visit to the sea coast. Here, on the grassy slopes 

 facing the sea, the wagtail runs on before us in our 

 walks, or flits over the edge of the cliffs to catch the 

 flies upon the sandy beach. If the tide is in, we know 

 at once where to find it. Look at those heaps of 

 decomposing seaweed, high up under the sand hills, 

 which have been raked together to be carted on to the 

 land. How the sand-flies swarm about them as the hot 



